Stories about Latin America from March, 2013
Colombia's Indigenous Set Development Goals
1) the protection of indigenous territory; 2) indigenous self-government; 3) the self-development of indigenous communities on the basis of equilibrium and harmony; 4) free, prior and informed consent as a condition for developments on indigenous land; and 5) the ‘institutional redesign’ of the state in its relations with indigenous peoples....
Panama Bids Farewell to ‘Red Devil’ Buses
Panama says goodbye to its traditional transportation system and the buses known as "red devils." Nevertheless, the transition process is traumatic and complicated for hundreds of riders.
Cuba: A Pope from the Americas
How do Cubans feel about the new pope? Iván's File Cabinet gives us an idea.
Photos: Day One in Trial of Former Guatemalan Dictator
Documentary photographer James Rodriguez shares a photo essay with “images from the first day of the historic trial against former de facto dictator Efraín Ríos Montt and former Intelligence Director José Mauricio Rodriguez Sanchez. Ríos Montt and Rodriguez Sanchez are charged with Genocide and crimes against humanity during the civil war...
Puerto Rico Second in the Caribbean Final of the World Baseball Classic
Although Puerto Rico did not win the World Baseball Classic, the country played memorably, managing to position itself as the number two team. Twitter users congratulated the Dominican Republic, which became the first undefeated team to win a World Baseball Classic, while expressing the deep pride they felt for the Puerto Rican national team.
As Brazil's Media Struggles, Magazine Axes Striking Staff
Eleven journalists were sacked from alternative Brazilian magazine Caros Amigos in March 2013 after going on strike against poor working conditions, becoming the latest casualties of Brazil's struggling media industry.
Science and Homosexuality Through the Lens of a Brazilian Pastor
Silas Malafaia, a conservative pastor and bachelor in psychology, is the head of Brazil's Victory in Christ Assembly of God Church and enemy #1 of those who fight for homosexual rights in the country. And despite heavy opposition to the ideas he espouses, Malafaia has a very large following throughout the country.
Former Guatemalan Dictator On Trial
Rios Montt's lawyer and others believe that the trial is a “political lynching” […] It doesn't matter if the guerrilas were going to turn “Guatemala into another Cuba;” the rape, torture, starvation and murder of civilians who might or might not have supported the guerrillas is just indefensible. But Rios Montt now...
Bolivia Establishes the World's Largest Protected Wetland
Bolivia's government has designated three new wetlands in the 'Llanos of Moxos', an area that represents the combined size of the Netherlands and Belgium, under the Ramsar Convention. Activists and environmental organisations celebrate the decision but also urge to work harder for the conservation of the Amazon.
Anti-Gay Preacher Elected Brazil's Human Rights Committee Head
The election of controversial evangelical preacher Marco Feliciano, known for his vocal hardline views on homosexuality, as the chairman of the Brazilian legislature's human rights committee has earned the condemnation of religious groups and sparked protests around the country.
A Look Inside the Indigenous University of Venezuela
What is it like to be a student at the Indigenous University of Venezuela? Three students from the department of edu-communication recently took part in a workshop led by Rising Voices in order to learn how to take better digital photographs and how to upload and share them on the internet.
Argentina: San Lorenzo Celebrates Pope Francis, its Most Sacred Fan
Pope Francis is an active fan and member of Argentina's San Lorenzo football club. The club released a new shirt during a match on March 16 against Colón de Santa Fe to commemorate the new Pope.
Peru: Exit Polls Say Villarán Remains Lima's Mayor
Even though the first official results of Sunday's recall referendum have not been published, exit poll results [es] indicate that mayor Susana Villarán will not be revoked. According to Ipsos Apoyo the ‘No’ received 52.6% of the votes and the ‘Yes’ 47.4%. Datum reports that the ‘No’ got 53.2% of...
Peru: Controversy Ahead of Lima's Recall Referendum
Lima will hold a recall referendum tomorrow, March 17, to decide whether Susana Villarán keeps her post as mayor of Peru's capital. The last surveys showed the 'Yes' ahead of the 'No' by 8%, but a recent debate where some of the 'Yes' representatives didn't show up could change things.
Caracas Chronicles: From Blog to Book
Blogging the Revolution: Caracas Chronicles and the Hugo Chávez Era brings together the best of our work from the last ten years: 150 posts that stand the test of time. Francisco Toro and Juan Cristobal Nagel of the blog Caracas Chronicles have published a book that promises to bring together...
Vive Latino 2013: Sustainability, Chilean Bands and Female Voices
The festival "Vive Latino 2013" (Mexico) will include the participation of Blur, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Los Auténticos Decadentes and Panteón Rococó, among many others. Global Voices presents 3 different points of view about the festival in question.
Venezuela: Twitter user detained for spreading “destabilizing” information
On March 14, Lourdes Alicia Ortega Pérez was detained by Venezuelan authorities for allegedly having having sent messages on Twitter that were "destabilizing [to] the country."
Guyana, Cuba: Habemus Papam, But “Who Is He”?
It's been a full day since the white smoke billowing above the Sistine Chapel signalled the news that Catholics the world over were waiting for: Habemus Papam. As it turned out, the Conclave of Cardinals elected the first Latin American and the first ever Jesuit pope...but, as one blogger asked, "Who is he"?
Allegations Tie Pope Francis to Argentina's ‘Dirty War’ Past
Was Jorge Bergoglio -now Pope Francis- involved in Argentina's deadly military dictatorship? Many around the world are asking this question as netizens continue to share information on Bergoglio alleged role in the country's 'Dirty War'. Others have pointed out that Bergoglio has repeatedly denied these accusations, and some have come to his defense.
Peru: Four Years of Uncertainty for Defendants in ‘Baguazo’ Clashes
Almost four years after clashes in Bagua left an official death toll of 34 (including 23 policemen), the legal status of 53 indigenous men indicted in the death of 12 police officers remains unresolved. In this post we look at the latest developments in the case.
Hero Reports: Positive Information Driving Social Change in Mexico
Paula Gonzalo from Periodismo Ciudadano (Citizen Journalism) interviews Yesica Guerra, Director of Hero Reports, a project that geo-tags information, gathered via crowdsourcing or citizen participation, relating to acts of kindness that take place in Mexico.
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